Literary Stuffing: New Group & Grant Deadline

When I was a younger me and thus an extra curricular enthusiast, I was part of the writing group at my school. Ironically called ‘Writer’s Block’ it was a small, semi-tight group of teenage poets and writers who fervently pursued the literary art form. It was awesome not only because it was a space to read my works aloud, but because it was a community of peers to read to where I got honest, open feedback that wasn’t from supporting friends and family who don’t really want to hurt me. Constructive criticism hurts at first but it’s what anyone needs to become better at what they do and in turn you learn and pass on the lessons you learn. I’m not sure where you go now outside of school if you’re a young writer wanting to get in on that kind of experience. Or rather I wasn’t sure until I got some notice a couple of days ago:

YOUTH WRITERS CLUB

Brampton Library’s Youth Writers Club is starting on September 9, 2010 and running until May 12, 2011.

If you are a secondary school student interested in writing short stories, essays, novels, poetry,
and/or other forms of literature you are invited to join the Club!

At monthly meetings, you and your peers will bring your original writings for peer
editing and group appreciation. Facilitators from the Brampton Writer’s Workshop
and teachers from local Secondary Schools will provide guidance in the art of
writing and different literary techniques to help you further develop your
writing skills. Guest writers from the community will occasionally be invited to
share their knowledge and experience.

Club meetings will be held at Four Corners Branch (65 Queen St. E), from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. There is no cost to join the Club; but registration is required. Register in person at any library
location, by phone at 905-793-4636, or by email to sdey@bramlib.on.ca.

Registration begins Monday, August 16.

In other news, you have less than a week left to hand in your application package for the Harry Dale Literary Grant for Aspiring Writers. Young and old have applied for the award, last year Lori-Ann Russell was of the younger side and the first to receive the honour. This year who’s saying it couldn’t be you?

What are you doing on Michael Cera day?

Only two more days before the awesomeness of Scott Pilgrim and Michael Cera collide into epicness! :D In case you’ve lived under a rock for the past 5 years, this is Michael Cera. He’s not only Canadian but a Bramptonian who broke out in ‘the little show that could’ called Arrested Development. He’s currently best known as the poster boy for awkward geeky adultdom and will put a distinct butt-kicking edge to that persona this Friday in the Edgar Wright epic of epic epicness “Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World”. For those who have lived under a rock for the past 3 months, this_{(close the picture to see the article)} is Stadium: a Brampton comic book store that has promoted the heck out of openly inviting Michael Cera to join in the impromptu day celebrating him. See more about it here or here or here.

If geek culture references, shiny effects and gravity-defying fight scenes aren’t enough to entice you, consider the sound track and music score. The eclectic talents of Beck fuel the sound of Pilgrim’s band, which by the way was coached on how to play their instruments by another Canadian, Chris Murphy of iconic band Sloan. Other awesome Canadiana lending their talents in some way or another is Plumtree, Metric, Broken Social Scene and Kid Koala. Not Canadian but still awesome? I mention you now Black Lips, Cornelius, Dan the Automator.

So again, I ask: What are you doing August 13th, 2010 on Michael Cera Day?

This Friday I plan to sit down and begin my Scott Pilgrim journey in a rather puritanical fashion - with the comics by Bryan Lee O’Malley, also Canadian. Movie will come quite quickly after I assume. :) So exciting!

For a quick synopisis of Michael Cera and other successful (and/or famous) Bramptionians, visit the BAC’s success stories.
_{Tee hee. Me as a Scott Pilgrim character. (Check out the gloves!)}